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Posted on: April 1, 2019

34 Year Prison Sentence in Death of Wheat Ridge Man

Ian Fitzgerald O’Connor, DOB; 10-15-85, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on March 29, where he was sentenced to 34 years in prison for the death of a 63-year-old Wheat Ridge man, Paul Dacko, Sr.

On August 29, 2017 the Colorado State Patrol responded to a vehicle v. motorcycle collision on Hwy. 285 at C470. O’Connor and Mr. Dacko, Sr., were both driving northbound on Hwy. 285 prior to the collision. O’Connor was observed driving recklessly before he came up from behind the motorcycle driven by Mr. Dacko, Sr. O’Connor crashed into the motorcycle. The motorcycle rolled and Mr. Dacko, Sr. was ejected and thrown into the southbound lanes of Hwy. 285. The motorcycle was wedged under O’Connor’s car. He continued driving several hundred feet, pushing the motorcycle with his car until it would go no further. He then fled from the collision scene to a gas station in Morrison where he was contacted by law enforcement.

Estimates were that O’Connor was traveling between 105 and 111 mph prior to the crash. He had both alcohol and marijuana in his system.